2020 Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea Decisions

January 2020

• Maip v Moge Nambuga Milimb Investment Ltd [2020] PGSC 161; SC1908 (20 January 2020)
• Yambaki Surveys Ltd v Nambawan Super Ltd [2020] PGSC 1; SC1901 (23 January 2020)
• Abari v Gumaim [2020] PGSC 23; SC1925 (24 January 2020)
• Electoral Commission v Kaku [2020] PGSC 7; SC1911 (31 January 2020)

February 2020

• Covec (PNG) Ltd v Kama [2020] PGSC 9; SC1912 (4 February 2020)
• Electoral Commission v Potape [2020] PGSC 24; SC1926 (4 February 2020)
• National Development Bank Ltd v Noka Builders Ltd [2020] PGSC 44; SC1953 (5 February 2020)
• Kanukanu v State [2020] PGSC 2; SC1913 (6 February 2020)
• Bougainville Copper Ltd v Central Me'ekamui Exploration Ltd [2020] PGSC 8; SC1917 (6 February 2020)
• Motor Vehicles Insurance Ltd v Opeta [2020] PGSC 45; SC1954 (10 February 2020)
• Finance Corporation Ltd (trading as FinCorp) v Kae [2020] PGSC 82; SC1997 (11 February 2020)
• Lovika v Marlpo [2020] PGSC 10; SC1916 (13 February 2020)
• Emani v Assemblies of God Boroko Association Inc [2020] PGSC 4; SC1914 (14 February 2020)
• Nodepa Plantation Ltd v Balat [2020] PGSC 25; SC1927 (14 February 2020)
• Yama v Yalamo [2020] PGSC 3; SC1915 (16 February 2020)
• Independent State of Papua New Guinea v Independent Timbers & Stevedoring Ltd [2020] PGSC 5; SC1918 (20 February 2020)
• Nikint Investment Ltd v Niganu [2020] PGSC 6; SC1919 (21 February 2020)
• Application by Air Nuigini Ltd and Rei Logona pursuant to Constitution, Section 18(1) [2020] PGSC 16; SC1922 (21 February 2020)
• National Housing Estate Ltd v Decision 2000 Ltd [2020] PGSC 17; SC1931 (27 February 2020)
• Pundia v Korua [2020] PGSC 11; SC1920 (28 February 2020)
• Reference pursuant to Section 18(1) of the Constitution [2020] PGSC 12; SC1921 (28 February 2020)
• Hagahuno v Tuke [2020] PGSC 13; SC1923 (28 February 2020)
• Walker v Total Cleaning Services Ltd [2020] PGSC 14; SC1924 (28 February 2020)
• Stephenson v Independent State of Papua New Guinea [2020] PGSC 27; SC1928 (28 February 2020)

March 2020

• Ame v Kimisopa [2020] PGSC 28; SC1929 (3 March 2020)
• Sunset Rentals Ltd v Pacific View Apartments Ltd [2020] PGSC 15; SC1930 (5 March 2020)
• Reference by Belden Namah [2020] PGSC 46; SC1956 (9 March 2020)
• Atlas Corporation Ltd v Ngangan [2020] PGSC 86; SC1995 (13 March 2020)
• Application by Namah [2020] PGSC 18; SC1932 (23 March 2020)
• Kereme v Kalinoe [2020] PGSC 19; SC1933 (26 March 2020)
• Application by Namah [2020] PGSC 22; SC1934 (27 March 2020)
• Pacific Trade International Ltd v Waisime [2020] PGSC 20; SC1935 (31 March 2020)
• Wauwa K Ltd v Bank of South Pacific Ltd [2020] PGSC 21; SC1936 (31 March 2020)

April 2020

• Yaman v Independent State of Papua New Guinea [2020] PGSC 41; SC1942 (21 April 2020)
• Putupen v Sevua [2020] PGSC 34; SC1947 (22 April 2020)
• James v State [2020] PGSC 39; SC1937 (24 April 2020)
• Kariko v Korua [2020] PGSC 29; SC1939 (29 April 2020)
• Poga v Damaru [2020] PGSC 30; SC1938 (29 April 2020)

May 2020

• Kramer v O'Neill [2020] PGSC 31; SC1940 (1 May 2020)
• Tai v Bank South Pacific [2020] PGSC 40; SC1941 (1 May 2020)
• Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea v Kaku [2020] PGSC 37; SC1950 (11 May 2020)
• Morea v State [2020] PGSC 47; SC1957 (12 May 2020)
• Barak v Independent State of Papua New Guinea [2020] PGSC 36; SC1949 (26 May 2020)
• Amobra v State [2020] PGSC 48; SC1959 (26 May 2020)
• Reference by the Ombudsman Commission Pursuant to Constitution, Section 19(1), Re Public Money Management Regularisation Act 2017 [2020] PGSC 43; SC1944 (27 May 2020)
• Nivani Ltd v Kimbe Nivani Properties Ltd [2020] PGSC 143; SC2066 (27 May 2020)
• Nivani Ltd v Independent State of Papua New Guinea [2020] PGSC 32; SC1945 (28 May 2020)
• Sumai v Independent State of Papua New Guinea [2020] PGSC 35; SC1948 (28 May 2020)
• Namah, Re [2020] PGSC 33; SC1946 (29 May 2020)
• Special Reference Pursuant to Constitution, Section 19(1), Reference by the Bougainville Executive [2020] PGSC 42; SC1952 (29 May 2020)
• Southern Highlands Provincial Government v Tepi [2020] PGSC 49; SC1962 (29 May 2020)
• Ganglau Landowner Company Ltd v Medaing [2020] PGSC 50; SC1963 (29 May 2020)

June 2020

• Kavi v Australia and New Zealand Bank Ltd [2020] PGSC 38; SC1951 (1 June 2020)
• Covec (PNG) Ltd v Kama [2020] PGSC 51; SC1961 (1 June 2020)
• Ame v Kimisopa [2020] PGSC 52; SC1958 (5 June 2020)
• Tilto v Gourley [2020] PGSC 53; SC1960 (10 June 2020)
• Kiiark v Luio [2020] PGSC 54; SC1964 (12 June 2020)
• Mayoh v State [2020] PGSC 55; SC1955 (26 June 2020)
• Warome v State [2020] PGSC 63; SC1973 (29 June 2020)
• Numapo v Eliakim [2020] PGSC 56; SC1965 (30 June 2020)
• Independent State of Papua New Guinea v Nimbituo [2020] PGSC 64; SC1974 (30 June 2020)

July 2020

• Rage v Rageau [2020] PGSC 62; SC1971 (1 July 2020)
• Kugi v Foo [2020] PGSC 57; SC1967 (2 July 2020)
• Hagahuno v Tuke [2020] PGSC 58; SC1966 (2 July 2020)
• Poio v Puluku [2020] PGSC 59; SC1968 (2 July 2020)
• Wialu v Andreas [2020] PGSC 60; SC1970 (7 July 2020)
• Ipara v Porgera Landowners Association [2020] PGSC 61; SC1969 (7 July 2020)
• Independent State of Papua New Guinea v Siune [2020] PGSC 65; SC1976 (21 July 2020)
• Manase v Polye [2020] PGSC 66; SC1975 (22 July 2020)
• Sia v Numu [2020] PGSC 68; SC1978 (22 July 2020)
• Wama v Parkop [2020] PGSC 67; SC1977 (24 July 2020)
• Windi v University of Papua New Guinea [2020] PGSC 69; SC1979 (31 July 2020)
• Mirebean Enterprises Ltd v Nathan [2020] PGSC 70; SC1984 (31 July 2020)
• Application Pursuant to Constitution, Section 18(1) by Justice Sir Bernard Sakora [2020] PGSC 76; SC1980 (31 July 2020)
• Niugini Building Supplies Ltd v National Housing Estate Ltd [2020] PGSC 90; SC1985 (31 July 2020)
• Dengis v State [2020] PGSC 159; SC2204 (31 July 2020)

August 2020

• Kitur v State [2020] PGSC 162; SC2254 (1 August 2020)
• Yama v Singirok [2020] PGSC 72; SC1982 (6 August 2020)
• Mankia v State [2020] PGSC 160; SC2199 (6 August 2020)
• Undialu v Potape [2020] PGSC 71; SC1981 (7 August 2020)
• Nita v State [2020] PGSC 77; SC1983 (7 August 2020)
• Barrick (Niugini) Ltd v Nekital [2020] PGSC 81; SC1996 (21 August 2020)
• Naepe v State [2020] PGSC 144; SC2072 (25 August 2020)
• Warome v State [2020] PGSC 73; SC1991 (27 August 2020)
• Nii v Manning [2020] PGSC 78; SC1986 (27 August 2020)
• Kawage v Kanturk Ltd [2020] PGSC 80; SC1990 (27 August 2020)
• Saroa v Nogana [2020] PGSC 88; SC1992 (27 August 2020)
• Erave v Homosi [2020] PGSC 156; SC2121 (27 August 2020)
• Manoka v Ain [2020] PGSC 74; SC1989 (31 August 2020)
• Paraka v Kaluwin [2020] PGSC 87; SC1988 (31 August 2020)
• Niakra v State [2020] PGSC 91; SC1987 (31 August 2020)

September 2020

• Onga v Independent State of Papua New Guinea [2020] PGSC 85; SC1993 (1 September 2020)
• Paraka v Gauli [2020] PGSC 154; SC2087 (3 September 2020)
• Sunset Rentals Ltd v Pacific View Apartments Ltd [2020] PGSC 75; SC1994 (4 September 2020)
• Telikom PNG Ltd v Neng [2020] PGSC 106; SC2011 (4 September 2020)
• Independent State of Papua New Guinea v Namah [2020] PGSC 83; SC1998 (10 September 2020)
• Commander of Beon CIS v Mal [2020] PGSC 108; SC2012 (14 September 2020)
• Reference by the Principal Legal Adviser Pursuant to Section 26 of the Supreme Court Act, Re Section 539 of the Criminal Code [2020] PGSC 79; SC1999 (15 September 2020)
• Kakas v National Housing Corporation [2020] PGSC 84; SC2000 (15 September 2020)
• Application pursuant to Constitution Section 18(1) [2020] PGSC 107; SC2014 (17 September 2020)
• Bais v Ilius [2020] PGSC 89; SC2002 (18 September 2020)
• Minol v Salika [2020] PGSC 109; SC2015 (21 September 2020)
• Kelo v Ipu [2020] PGSC 92; SC2003 (24 September 2020)
• Barrick (Niugini) Ltd v Nekitel [2020] PGSC 94; SC2005 (25 September 2020)
• East Sepik Provincial Executive v Marat [2020] PGSC 103; SC2016 (25 September 2020)
• Kramer v O'Neill [2020] PGSC 93; SC2004 (28 September 2020)
• Barrick (Niugini) Ltd v Nekital [2020] PGSC 155; SC2107 (28 September 2020)

October 2020

• Barrick (Niugini) Ltd v Nekitel [2020] PGSC 96; SC2007 (1 October 2020)
• Vitolo v Mararea Land Group Incorporated [2020] PGSC 95; SC2006 (2 October 2020)
• Gumaim v Abari [2020] PGSC 97; SC2008 (2 October 2020)
• Golobadana No 35 Ltd v Bank of South Pacific Ltd [2020] PGSC 98; SC2009 (2 October 2020)
• Hagahuno v Tuke [2020] PGSC 105; SC2018 (2 October 2020)
• Barrick (Niugini) Ltd v Nekitel [2020] PGSC 99; SC2010 (6 October 2020)
• Hapa v Desh Besh Enterprises Ltd [2020] PGSC 146; SC2062 (12 October 2020)
• Barrick (Niugini) Ltd v Nekitel [2020] PGSC 102; SC2013 (14 October 2020)
• Water PNG v Maiti [2020] PGSC 110; SC2017 (19 October 2020)
• Kaya v State [2020] PGSC 145; SC2026 (19 October 2020)
• Special reference pursuant to Constitution, Section 19(1) [2020] PGSC 153; SC2091 (26 October 2020)
• Henry v State [2020] PGSC 147; SC2063 (27 October 2020)
• Petroleum Exploration Joint Venture Ltd v Talu [2020] PGSC 104; SC2019 (28 October 2020)
• Lakuna v State [2020] PGSC 125; SC2035 (28 October 2020)
• Kingston v Kingston [2020] PGSC 101; SC2021 (29 October 2020)
• Aquila v Independent State of Papua New Guinea [2020] PGSC 113; SC2023 (29 October 2020)
• Agen v Dege [2020] PGSC 100; SC2020 (30 October 2020)
• Pakua v Independent State of Papua New Guinea [2020] PGSC 112; SC2024 (30 October 2020)
• Lalal v State [2020] PGSC 126; SC2036 (30 October 2020)
• Konia v State [2020] PGSC 157; SC2122 (30 October 2020)

November 2020

• Anis v Grand Columbia Ltd [2020] PGSC 111; SC2022 (2 November 2020)
• Bomal v Independent State of Papua New Guinea [2020] PGSC 115; SC2025 (2 November 2020)
• Pacific Trade International Ltd v Waisime [2020] PGSC 137; SC2053 (2 November 2020)
• Application by Hon. Belden Namah [2020] PGSC 148; SC2057 (2 November 2020)
• Rawa v Trappe [2020] PGSC 116; SC2027 (5 November 2020)
• Boroko Motors Ltd v Meridian Motors Ltd [2020] PGSC 114; SC2028 (6 November 2020)
• Sike v Sawin [2020] PGSC 138; SC2054 (10 November 2020)
• Independent State of Papua New Guinea v Kunai [2020] PGSC 117; SC2029 (13 November 2020)
• Independent State of Papua New Guinea v Namah [2020] PGSC 127; SC2037 (16 November 2020)
• Palaso v Elliot [2020] PGSC 118; SC2030 (17 November 2020)
• Monouluk v Pala [2020] PGSC 119; SC2031 (24 November 2020)
• Gum v State [2020] PGSC 122; SC2032 (24 November 2020)
• Kopaol v Steamships Ltd [2020] PGSC 123; SC2033 (24 November 2020)
• Wickless v Independent State of Papua New Guinea [2020] PGSC 163; SC2293 (26 November 2020)
• Application by Namah; Application pursuant to Constitution, Section 18(1), In re [2020] PGSC 120; SC2040 (27 November 2020)
• Mulungu v State [2020] PGSC 124; SC2034 (27 November 2020)
• Hamaga v Walawi [2020] PGSC 128; SC2038 (27 November 2020)
• Charlie v Paki [2020] PGSC 158; SC2123 (27 November 2020)
• Funil v State [2020] PGSC 164; SC2362 (27 November 2020)

December 2020

• Special Reference by the Honourable Davis Steven [2020] PGSC 129; SC2041 (1 December 2020)
• South Pacific Post Ltd (trading as Post-Courier) v Tame [2020] PGSC 130; SC2042 (4 December 2020)
• Asuma (trading as Andy Asuma Trading) v Tiong Juk Chuong [2020] PGSC 149; SC2064 (4 December 2020)
• Application by O'Neill; Application pursuant to Constitution, Section 18(1) [2020] PGSC 121; SC2043 (9 December 2020)
• Uhadi Iarogaha ILG No. 617 v Estate of the Late Jimmy Varika [2020] PGSC 131; SC2044 (11 December 2020)
• Rogakila v Sehazuha Land Group Incorporated [2020] PGSC 150; SC2058 (11 December 2020)
• Isifu v Panguma [2020] PGSC 151; SC2059 (14 December 2020)
• Barrick (Niugini) Ltd v Nekitel [2020] PGSC 132; SC2045 (16 December 2020)
• Amaiu v Yalbees [2020] PGSC 133; SC2046 (17 December 2020)
• Kasper v Kiap [2020] PGSC 134; SC2047 (17 December 2020)
• Barrick (Niugini) Ltd v Nekitel [2020] PGSC 135; SC2049 (17 December 2020)
• Arore v Arore [2020] PGSC 136; SC2048 (17 December 2020)
• Gum v Independent State of Papua New Guinea [2020] PGSC 152; SC2060 (21 December 2020)
• Kalup v State [2020] PGSC 142; SC2056 (23 December 2020)
• Geru Holdings Ltd v Kruse [2020] PGSC 140; SC2050 (24 December 2020)
• Imora v Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Association Inc (5-4832) [2020] PGSC 141; SC2051 (24 December 2020)
• Barrick (Niugini) Ltd v Nekitel [2020] PGSC 139; SC2052 (30 December 2020)